Construction is set to commence this spring on U.S. 6 in Peru, spanning from the east of West Street to Westclox, for water main enhancements and sewer separation, as confirmed by the Department of Engineering and Zoning. D Construction secured the project with a bid of $4,782,631, approved during the January 29th Peru City Council meeting. The endeavor, segmented for progress, has completed engineering and secured necessary permits. Traffic controls will be enforced, including potential closures of side street intersections, to facilitate the work, which encompasses water main and service line replacements, sidewalk and curb upgrades, and pedestrian crossing improvements near Westclox. Additionally, the city anticipates upcoming construction on U.S. 6 from La Salle’s Little Vermilion River to the Bureau County line, estimated to start this summer.
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Firefighters from Peru and Utica joined forces with the La Salle Fire Department to combat a fire that erupted in the 600 block of Garfield Avenue shortly after 1 a.m. on Thursday. Upon arrival, responders were met with intense flames engulfing the front of the residence. Despite the challenging conditions, they swiftly brought the blaze under control in less than 15 minutes, preventing any reported injuries. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified to assist in determining the cause of the incident.
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On Wednesday, the Ottawa Noon Rotary donated $1,140 to the Ottawa Community Food Basket. With this, the Food Pantry will be able to purchase more than 2,300 pounds of food. This is in response to a Rotary district-wide challenge to donate food to those in need. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million members to unite people and take action to create lasting change.
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An investigation into Thursday’s cell phone outages is looking into whether it may have been part of a cyberattack. AT&T’s cell phone service was fully restored after being out for most of the day. Reports say the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies are looking into whether the cause is a cyberattack or just technical difficulties. Outages were reported in major cities such as Houston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. T-Mobile and Verizon customers also reported issues, but the carriers said their networks did not experience outages and the problems were most likely the result of their customers trying to contact AT&T customers.
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A fifteen-year-old girl from Plano was arrested by the Plano Police Department Wednesday for allegedly making a threatening statement on Snapchat regarding a potential school shooting. The arrest carried out without any issues on Wednesday, was prompted by the FBI’s notification to the Police Department about the threat. The teenager is facing charges of felony disorderly conduct and has been transported to the juvenile justice center for a detention hearing. The Police Department has emphasized that this is an isolated incident, reassuring the public and the Plano 88 School District that there is no ongoing threat to their safety.
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In an Ottawa courtroom, Rachael Carter, a 37-year-old woman from Streator, received a four-year prison sentence for her involvement in a fatal shooting incident. Charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and aiding a fugitive, Carter pleaded guilty, leading to the dropping of an additional weapon possession charge. Since May, she has been incarcerated in La Salle County Jail, acknowledging in court her provision of ammunition and transportation to Malcolm Whitfield, a 30-year-old from Streator accused of shooting three individuals, one of whom, 35-year-old Shaquita Kelly, succumbed to her injuries in May. Carter and Whitfield were apprehended by police shortly after the incident in Memphis, Tennessee. Whitfield is scheduled for trial in late April.
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On Thursday, Jesse Anderer, aged 34, admitted guilt to a felony charge of aggravated battery against a victim aged over 60. Judge Cynthia Raccuglia then handed down a 3-year prison term. According to prosecutors, Anderer engaged in a dispute with a 65-year-old woman last November, striking her in the forehead. Notably, Anderer had no prior felony offenses in La Salle County.
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Twenty-four-year-old Nicolaus Phillips made a brief court appearance and was instructed to return before a judge on March 28th for a final pretrial hearing, with his jury trial scheduled to commence on April 15th. Phillips, along with 22-year-old Chastity Furar of Ottawa, faces three counts of murder, allegedly connected to the shooting death of 42-year-old Eric Clements at his Ottawa home on June 5th. Prosecutors assert that Phillips, angered by Clements’ interaction with Furar on Facebook, used a gun provided by Furar, his girlfriend, to fatally shoot Clements. Both Phillips and Furar are currently incarcerated at the La Salle County Jail, with Furar’s next court appearance set for March 15th.
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At 10:45 pm last night, LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Columbus ST & Main ST. (Ottawa TWP) Christian Lopez (28) of LaSalle was arrested for possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams. He was transported to LaSalle County jail and later released with a notice to appear.
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WEATHER:
Friday
A slight chance of rain between 4 pm and 5 pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Friday Night
A chance of rain before 8 pm, then a chance of snow between 8 pm and 10 pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 22. Blustery, with a north wind of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
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OBITUARIES:
Pamela Jean Miskell, age 77, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, February 19th at the LaSalle County Nursing Home in the presence of her devoted family. Visitation will be today and from 10 to 11 a.m. at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. today at St. Francis Church. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Michael “Mike” McGill, 74, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, February 13th, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Visitation will be today from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A private service will follow. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Nadine F. (Talioli) Turnquist, 86, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, February 22nd, at the OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday the 26th at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28th, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.
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Margaret Einhaus, 86, of Seneca, passed away Wednesday, February 14th, at the Arc at Dwight with her family by her side. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the Seneca United Methodist Church. A funeral ceremony will follow at 11:00 am at the church. Private burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in Morris. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Stephanie Elaine Smith, 35, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, February 19th. There will be no public service for Stepanie. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
BOYS BASKETBALL
At Somonauk (1A)
Championship – (1) Serena (29-3) vs. (4) Marquette (24-8), 7 p.m
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At Aurora Christian (1A)
Championship – (2) Aurora Christian (21-8) vs. (3) Earlville (28-4), 7 p.m.—————————————————————–
At Prophetstown Regional (2A)
Championship – (10) Morrison (12-16) vs. (4) Princeton (15-15), 7 p.m.
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At Hall Regional (2A)
Championship: (2) Seneca (23-9) vs. (3) Riverdale (21-8), 6 p.m.
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At Sterling (3A)
Championship – (2) Sterling (24-8) vs. (5) LaSalle-Peru (22-8), 7 p.m
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GIRLS BASKETBALL
St.Bede 50, Serena 48: St. Bede defeated Serena 50-48 in the Class 1A Sectional on Thursday, at Gardner-South Wilmington High School. The Lady Bruins will play Ida Crown (Skokie) in the Supersectional at Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin on Monday at 7 p.m.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Cubs and White Sox go head-to-head as they open exhibition play with a Spring Training game at Sloan Park today. The Cubs are looking to build upon a solid 2023 season with new manager Craig Counsell taking over for David Ross. The White Sox are rebuilding in their second season under manager Pedro Grifol. Rowan Wicks takes the mound for the Cubs, and Jesse Chavez mans the rubber for the Southsiders. Broadcast time for today’s game is 2 pm.
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The Bulls got off to a slow second-half start during a 129-112 loss to the Boston Celtics at United Center. Chicago is in New Orleans on Sunday.
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The Blackhawks will try to get back in the win column when they host the Winnipeg Jets at United Center tonight.
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The Northwestern Wildcats took control in the second half of their 76-62 win over Michigan at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats visit Maryland next Wednesday.
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The number-12 Illinois Fighting Illini look to get back on track when they host Iowa at State Farm Center tomorrow’s game tips off at 1:15 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish go for their fourth win in a row when they visit Syracuse tomorrow’s game begins at 11:00 AM Central Time.